Puri, Jul 6: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting at the Puri Town Hall, emphasizing seamless coordination among government departments, officials, and servitors to ensure the smooth and incident-free conduct of the world-famous Rath Yatra 2026.
Addressing officials during the meeting, the Chief Minister said the successful management of Rath Yatra requires dedication, teamwork, and the collective use of knowledge, experience, and administrative expertise under the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
He urged officials, employees, and servitors associated with the festival to discharge their responsibilities with a spirit of service so that the annual chariot festival is conducted without any lapses.
Describing Lord Jagannath as the presiding deity of the hearts of millions, the Chief Minister said Rath Yatra is not only the most significant festival for Puri and Odisha but also a globally celebrated religious event that attracts devotees from across India and abroad.
"A safe and well-organised Rath Yatra is not merely a government responsibility but a moral duty shared by all of us," he said, expressing confidence that every official would perform their assigned duties with sincerity and devotion.
The Chief Minister said elaborate arrangements have already been made for security, crowd management, healthcare services, sanitation, drinking water supply, transportation, and traffic regulation. He advised departments to build upon the experience gained during the previous two Rath Yatras and maintain close coordination throughout the festival.
Majhi also stressed the importance of continuous monitoring of all arrangements and appreciated the temple servitors for conducting the rituals with discipline and punctuality.
Highlighting the need for effective public communication, he directed authorities to extensively use television, FM radio, social media, public announcement systems, and departmental websites to provide real-time information on temple rituals, traffic diversions, public services, and other important advisories.
The Chief Minister also instructed officials to keep strict vigil against rumour-mongers and take prompt action against anyone attempting to spread misinformation during the festival.
He said the true success of Rath Yatra would be measured by ensuring that every devotee returns home after having a safe, peaceful, and spiritually fulfilling darshan of Lord Jagannath.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also released 'Ruparekha – Rath Yatra 2026', an official handbook published by the Puri district administration outlining the festival's arrangements and guidelines.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, senior ministers, the Chief Secretary, who presented an overview of the preparations, and Y.B. Khurania, who briefed participants on the security arrangements for the festival.
